teens

All posts tagged teens

Trigger, that’s not a word I usually use. Why? I feel it’s a word for the younger generation. I don’t care if you a Generation X, Y, Z or Millennial. Your character speaks more than the year you were born. That being said, this blog will probably “trigger” a few of the younger and less conservative followers. If you don’t follow this blog or know me personally (and some people do), then you should know one of my favorite sayings is, “I’m not a bakery and I don’t sugar coat what needs saying”. So in the infamous words of Graham Allen….”Heeeeere we go!”

I consider myself an ‘old-school’ mom. I am the mother of five children; with one child under 18-years old. I am not a perfect mom. I made A LOT of mistakes with my older children (another story; another time). However, I am hell bent on correcting some of those past mistakes with my youngest daughter.

I live in California. It would be an AMAZING state if not for all the liberals and illegals (not undocumented – ILLEGAL) that are here. I don’t placate the “entitled ideology” that far to many young adults and their children seem to have. I have conservative values but also feel I help those in need when I can.

That being said, my take on parenting: You are NOT there to be a friend to your child. You are the PARENT! Rules and accountability are first and foremost. If you think your child is your BFF, he/she is NOT! They are a child in need of guidance, enforced rules, etc. That friend you are looking for will be there when adulthood is reached. For now, focus on raising good kids. “NO” is not a four-letter word and your kids need to hear it.

I love my daughter with all my heart. She is spoiled rotten; I admit this. However, there is a point where she knows what is right and wrong. Is she allowed to do whatever she wants, whenever she feels like it? HECK NO! She is given chores that are to be completed. She used to get an allowance. When she got a phone, the monthly amount equaled her allowance, no more allowance. The phone is routinely checked and no downloads without consent. She gets called out when she gets too sassy. Respect is a key role to raising kids. She has manners: Yes, please. No, thank you. Excuse me, ma’am. She is being raised as a child of Christ. Ooooh, I went there: religion. Yup, I sure did. I honestly believe, if more people had God in their lives, this world would be a much better place.

I have rarely spanked my youngest. Why, because rules were set early and more importantly, they were enforced. My daughter in on the verge of becoming a teenager. While her hormones are kicking in and sometimes she gets called out a bit more on her at-home behavior, I don’t foresee her being one of “typical teens”. If she ever went that route, my house would be spotless, because nothing makes you think more about what you’ve done than a few good hours of manual labor. Has it come to that? Not even close. Is it an option (if need be); you bet it is!

Is she allowed to wear make-up? Nope. She gets to wait til she is 15. I allow lip gloss and that’s it for now. Why? She’s 12! She doesn’t need makeup. A cashier at Ulta even said, “maybe next year she can add mascara”. Sorry, not happening. There’s no reason to push her to become older than she is.

Is she allowed to wear ripped jeans, shirts that show cleavage, run around unsupervised with her friends? Nope! She may not dress ultra-conservative (she’s not going to a nunnery after all), but she knows what is appropriate. Has she ever tried to get to get away with pushing the clothing envelope? Of course. Then, I tell her to go back upstairs and change. You know what? She does. Why, because she has been taught to listen. Silly me. I know the parents of her friends. Sleepover or movie outing? I speak with the other parents to make sure we are on the same page. Get involved! It’s what you should be doing.

My daughter is also at the age we can cover social topics. What is appropriate for certain situations. What would would be the consequences for acting like a fool in public? Or blowing a potential job interview because your friends or mall time is more important? How about wanting excess clothing or shoes? I am proud she gives the appropriate responses.

We have covered race, in a variety of instances. She’s a bi-racial child who isn’t allowed to use that as a reason something did/did not happen. There are far too many successful, minority people, to let race stand in their way. I am proud to say, my daughter doesn’t see color. She will be anyone’s friend as long as they are respectful and are willing to chat. Her cultural heritage is important; but she’s an American first.

Oh yea, and we say the Pledge of Allegiance in our home too. We stand, quietly, with hand over our heart, anytime we hear the National Anthem. We support the 2nd Amendment. My daughter will be visiting a gun range soon to learn weapon safety and how to shoot. Take a guess at what I think about gun reform. I may not own any weapons (currently), but I sure as heck could care less what over-paid, non-working, liberal Democrats think “we the people” are entitled to.

Do you know, my daughter already has the mentality that she will need to get a job, as a teen, to pay for the extras she deems important to her? Do you know, she’s not dreading that? Why? She has been taught from an early age: you work for what you want. Nothing is given to you and further more, you shouldn’t expect it would be.

I don’t care what someone’s education is. You work hard and you make progress. If it’s not within your means, you don’t get to have it. I wish more people would understand this concept.

So my mini-rant about spoiled, self-centered, entitled parents/children is over. I believe this country needs to get back to a Christian-based, conservative way of life. Respect, a hard work ethic and caring for your community and country is needed. If you are upset about this post, perhaps you might want to re-evaluate why you are now “triggered”.

If you’re a parent of a preteen or a teenager, esp. if she’s a girl, then you are probably used to theatrics on some level. I swear to you, my 11-year old has a movie career just waiting for her to embrace.

It turns out, a friend and mom, of a preteen boy, found this app, called, “Teen Safe”. I actually chose to go with MMGuardian Parental Control. In essence, it turns the cell phone into a paper weight; for whatever hours you choose. I admit it, I should be better about app searching, because I LOVE this idea.

When my daughter and husband returned home last night, I told them about this wonderful app. Ok, I thought it was wonderful. The look of horror on my daughter’s face summed up how great this app truly is going to be. I suppose I took a bit too much pleasure in her thought of not being able to access her phone for a set number of hours. To be fair, she should be sleeping when the hours are in effect anyway.

After the look of shock, she sank to her knees, called me a demon and began to contemplate the impending “lock down” of her precious phone. Now if you recall, she currently attends a small, private, Christian school. Suddenly, she jumps up, runs out the door, but not before uttering, “May the power of Christ repel you!”

I almost busted out laughing. I’m a demon in need of an exorcism apparently. All for making sure she gets a good night’s sleep without cellular distraction. After the amusement wore off, I thought to myself, “well, at least I’m getting my money’s worth (for her school)”.